Garmin
Edge 510 Bike Computer

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Garmin
Edge 510 Bike Computer $329.99

Item # GRM3011

Description

Cat 1 functionality at a Cat 4 price.

While we thought that the leap from the Garmin 800 to 810 was massive, it pales in comparison to the advancement from the Edge 500 to the Edge 510 Bike Computer. Garmin has done away with the 500's button mashing, instead opting for a sophisticated touch screen interface. And while Edge 510 isn't quite at the same level of functionality as the new 810, for the price, we can't imagine a more powerful training computer.

Starting at the screen, Garmin placed a focus on simplifying screen and metrics navigation. The initial start screen prompts you to select the CPU's functionality for your ride, either 'train' or 'race.' To avoid confusion, training mode is presented in Blue, whereas race mode is presented in Red. Additionally, this screen enables you to select the bike profile that you'll be riding -- mountain, road, cyclocross, or even unicycle if you're savvy. Once these selections have been made, you simply touch the ride button, and the screen moves to your race or training page. And of course, this page is customizable for every bike profile in your quiver. So, your ride page will only reflect the data that you deem pertinent to your ride or race. Even more impressive, and a jump away from the button navigation fumbling of the 500, the 510 allows you to simply swipe the touch-screen from page to page. Also, Garmin designed the screen to operate seamlessly with gloved hands in the cold, in the heat, or even in wet weather.

And as long as we're on the subject of new features, you'll should be ecstatic to hear that the 510 is Bluetooth ready. So, while sport device communication is still handled by ANT+ (say, wireless data transfer from HRMs or powermeters), the Bluetooth technology communicates with your smartphone. And to make matters even easier, the 510 is fluent in either Android or iOS operating systems. So, once you're synced up with your phone, and you've downloaded the Garmin Connect Mobile App, the 510 really comes alive. Essentially, the 510 receives data from your smartphone, like live weather and activity upload. This means that you're able to receive real-time weather conditions, forecasts, and alerts while your phone stays protected. And for activity upload, this hastens the data transfer once you've finished your ride. From any location, this feature allows you to wirelessly upload your ride data to your smartphone, which then uploads it to your Garmin Connect profile online. Accordingly, you can view your profile from the Mobile App, almost eliminating the need to access Garmin Connect from a home computer.

Impressed? Believe us, that's just the tip of the iceberg. With the 510's Live Tracking feature, you have the ability to share your activities in real-time through either email or the social media of your choosing. All that you have to do is invite your coach, friends, or family to follow you on Garmin Connect, and then you're able to send email notifications reminding them to follow your real-time activity, stats, data, and location while you're on the bike. You also have the option to share this information via Facebook or Twitter. But, your adoring public aren't the only ones that can navigate your movements. With either the Mobile App or Garmin connect, you have the ability to peruse rides in your area. However, unlike the 810, the 510 doesn't have full map functionality, however, it does GPS for post-ride analysis.

Now for the guts. The 510 sees the return of Garmin's ever-popular, Virtual Partner and Virtual Racer training programs. The 510 does not accept data cards, but it's capable of storing up to 180 hours on its onboard history. It's rechargeable lithium-ion battery has a life that extends to around 17 hours. Garmin also ensured that the CPU is completely waterproof, and it's also compatible with virtually any ANT+ equipped device. So, mating the 510 to an HRM or powermeter will be a painless affair.

The Garmin Edge 510 Bike Computer is available in the color Black and includes a bike mount, USB cable, AC charger, and a user-manual.

Here's what others have to say...

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Pretty Good Thus Far

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I've taken the liberty of reading a host of the complaints above, and honestly, I haven't experienced many of them myself. Granted, I've only been using this CPU for about a month, and I'm also not pairing it with a powermeter, but I haven't had any connectivity issues when pairing it with an iPhone 5C. The closest that I came was after a software update on both devices at the same time, but they simply had to find each other again and that was that.

In terms of connecting to Garmin Connect, the pairing has been relatively seamless. Getting my rides to Strava, however, took some creative, outside the box thinking to pull off. But now, I just went with the set it and forget it approach and have the two accounts synced to upload every ride to the Stravas. Getting courses onto the 510 is a bit of a jigsaw, though, but again, some creative thinking managed to get around this. I'm setup to create on the laptop, which syncs to the Garmin Connect app, which then syncs with the 510. Riding the courses in real time does not always work, though, and when it does, the amount of notice you get before a turn on the road can be very abrupt or even late. On the trail, it's completely absurd. Every bend or switchback is prompting a direction, and the experience really borders on intolerable. And on a side note, I have had some jamming on the various GPS and Acquiring screens upon startup – a little annoying, but not terrible.

Now, you're probably assuming that I hate this damn thing, but in actuality, I really do like it — especially after breaking my no computer ride policy that lasted nearly a decade. The battery life is pretty good, and I haven't had it take a dump on me during a ride yet. For my commutes, I've been running the backlight at about 50%, and after 10 miles each way, I arrive home with about 3% dissipation in the battery life. Not bad. During daytime rides, with normal backlight settings, the battery is totally fine.

The onboard metrics work well, and the customization of screens is a nice feature. The size is also really good, for both the unit as a whole and the screen. Post-ride analysis features are also pretty good on Connect, but the community isn't engaged enough to make it as interesting as Strava. An example is the variance in segments. My daily commute has no segments on connect and about 14 on Strava. Oh well, I'm not reviewing Connect. The touchscreen is also pretty intuitive, and works pretty well with gloves — even non-EIT iterations.

When it all comes down to it, the computer works really well. The GPS features are pretty dialed for the price. Onboard metrics are cool. And all of the weird stuff from the commercials, like Vaughters tracking your every move, is just stuff that hardly anyone uses, let alone actually needs. I haven't gotten it wet yet, so maybe my opinion will change whenever it decides to rain. For now, however, I give it a solid four stars with room to improve.

Comment on Jeff Stewart's review:

Total garbage

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Totally unreliable, and once you connect it to a Mac with Yosemite, prepare for all of your recorded workouts to be erased, and never to be able to make the already spotty device to work even somewhat reliably again. And Garmin's useless support can't make sense of it either.

Comment on CompCyclist's review:

Mixed Bag

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I have used this device all summer for training and a couple of races, Leadville, and Barn Burner 104. I have to say that I am disappointed with the device. I purchased the device to replace my 705 unit and while the 510 worked its new features were a significant upgrade. However, I have found the 510 to be very unreliable. The device has stopped pairing with my phone and no longer records my power data from my power tap. After several calls with Garmin customer support, who are fantastic, I have not been able to cure the issue. Also during the Barn Burner would only record time by lap 3.

Comment on dam4440391's review:

Mixed Thoughts

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Had it now just over a year and previously had a 500

Pro -Perfect screen size -All the necessary power metrics -seemingly accurate data - good battery life as long as you keep the brightness down -BTLE is nice as it can easily download to my phone-garmin connect-training peaks

Con -drop out with power meter (i am almost positive it is the garmin and not the PM) -touch screen lags.......a lot - wished the screen size was rotated and more like the SRM power control in size/shape -not wild about the screen layout options - just liked the old 500 better

The back

Comment on Grant Kates's photo:

Don't leave home without it

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I know there are curmudgeons out there that wouldn't get caught dead with a Garmin (and that might have been me for awhile) but I absolutely love this device. I wouldn't ride without it now. I love being able to keep track of my rides, miles and elevation. The Edge 510 was a gift and upgrade from my first Garmin (the 500). This is a big jump up in performance but is also pretty significantly increased in size over the prior model. That said, I think it's worth it. I love the LiveTrack feature which allows my wife and family to follow my ride real-time on the web. If my wife wants to know where I am or when I will be home for dinner, she just pulls up my ride and checks out where I am rather than calling or texting. This also helps prevent them from worrying about me. Really, this is one of my favorite cycling accessories! The 510 is larger but has much better gps tracking and battery life compared with the 500. Also the 510 uploads your ride automatically to the Garmin website after your ride using the bluetooth connection with your phone. The LiveTrack function also requires paring with your phone. I have only had the ride info not upload by bluetooth a few times because of a poor connection and if that happens I just cycle the 510 off/on for an upload while it boots up. As one reviewer mentioned, the Garmin site is a bit antiquated and limited but it's slowly getting better with time. It keeps track of basic ride data and has a training calendar but is pretty lame compared to Strava. But, files can be automatically transferred from Garmin In summary, great device. Love it! Wouldn't ride without it anymore.

Comment on Sheldon T's review:

BT connectivity to iPhone is a joke

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Pros: very strong GPS. Gets reception where other devices (500, 800) fail. Hardware quality is solid, everything works nicely on the bike.

Cons: Garmin Connect iOS app is a freaking joke. Why is a company like Garmin trying to corner their customers into using this non-functioning app is beyond me. I have updating firmwares regularly and ride uploads over BT have only worked ~25% of the time. Garmin should just concentrate on making great hardware and let users upload to Strava app over BT.

Hi, it?s possible to configure the screen...

Yes, you can configure the screen to meet your needs. Press and hold on the screen the field that you would like to change and a menu pops up to give you options. Lap counts are one option for fields. Personally I don't use this function but it is in the menu.

Have an answer for Ryan?

Nice upgrade from the Edge 500

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

As a long time user of the Edge 500, I made the upgrade to the 510 primarily for the live tracking feature, but I've found even more to like on the 510. Since I often like to explore new trails or change up a planned route on the fly, the live tracking brings a little piece of mind to the ride since I'm able to share my whereabouts with those that might need to come find me should something go horribly awry. Even when rides go smoothly, friends or family can check in to see where you're at and wish that they were out there too.

Equally impressive on the 510 is the ability to create unique bike profiles for each bike you ride. Gone are the days of having to have re-sync for various power, speed, and/or cadence sensors every time you go from one bike to the next. Instead you just choose what bike you're on and everything you have saved with that profile will be ready to go.

I was a little leery of the touchscreen, but it actually works quite well and is easy to use while riding. It helps to have the Garmin mounted to the bike as stable as possible so that it doesn't move when you're attempting to change screens or go through a menu. This is where an OF mount or something similar works better than the stem mount with the o-rings.

The only criticism I've got is that the device is larger than the 500. This doesn't bother me for training, but on race day I'd prefer the unit to be smaller. The 510's GPS syncs up noticeably faster and tracks more accurately when you're in tighter canyons too so the positives certainly outweigh it's larger size.

Comment on Travis Woodruff's review:

The bomb

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

This is my first bike GPS and I have zero complaints. Battery is amazing, pairs quickly with my iPhone, has a great display. It has immensely ramped up my training by giving me all the data I could ever want.

Comment on Cole Tininenko's review:

Easy to use, everything it says it is!

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Easy to pick up and use. Touch screen works well even with winter gloves on. Good battery life and memory plenty of rides before you have to charge or sync. Really like the weather features of this 510.

Comment on ianpb's review:

great addition

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

this is a great tool to have for your bike. It gives much valuable information about your ride and you can get as general or specific as you want. The Garmin website is also a great addition to this piece as you can upload your information and compare previous rides, see maps of your workouts, ect. The heart rate function is also very valuable and easy to connect. The lage display is also very nice. I would suggest getting the out front bike mount when you get this unit. Much easer to read when the unit in a little further out from the handlebar.

Comment on WesB's review:

Garmin 510

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

This is a great product to have, especially if you geek out on numbers from your ride. There isn't much else that will give you as much information on your ride than a Garmin. That being said, they take it one step further and give you the ability to customize exactly what information you see on the screen. Essentially customization is completely built into the unit so you can have many different settings or profiles to coincide with what readouts you want or what bike you are using. Pairing with a powermeter is simple and a great way to measure your results. I use mine specifically for mountain biking so I keep the unit in my pocket or hydration pack during the ride so I can't attest to the readout visibility. I do wish there was a lock feature for the unit as if you hit the start/stop button during your ride, you only get part of your ride recorded. However the battery life has been impressive and can go quite a few rides without needing a charge.